‘Jobs & Economy’ Archives
Author: deanfiihr Published: September 7th, 2010
A new article recently appeared in AOL Jobs touting Iowa and surrounding states as the new “brain belt”. The ability to bring in newly graduated young people to the area to take advantage of the high-tech, global recognized companies, is making Iowa a new “hot spot” for jobs.
From the article:
That’s right. We said Brain Belt, not Bran Belt. It includes once bucolic-sounding cities like Sioux Falls, Des Moines and Boise, which consistently rank high in quality of living, and low in unemployment (6.2 percent in some areas). There are jobs in health care, finance, technology and other well-paying fields. Also, the lower housing, goods and real estate costs, plus excellent public schools and universities draw large professional service firms, information companies and innovative manufacturers.
Prestigious companies such as Dell Computers, U.S. Bank Corp. and Clarion have all expanded and invested heavily in Heartland areas, and Wells Fargo is setting up a huge new office complex of nearly 1 million square feet in a Des Moines suburb.
To read the rest of the article visit: http://jobs.aol.com/articles/2010/09/01/hot-jobs-in/
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: rachellethomas Published: September 3rd, 2010
A new initiative to help small businesses grow and expand, Iowa’s Small Business Loan Program, started August 1, and the University of Northern Iowa is hosting a series of webinars across the state to provide information for small business owners interested in learning more about the program.
The upcoming webinar dates include the following:
• Sept. 9th from noon-1pm
• Sept. 23rd from 7pm-8pm
• Oct. 14th from noon-1pm
To participate, simply go to http://www.myentre.net and click on webinars. The webinar is open to the public and all small businesses are welcome to participate.
Iowa’s Small Business Loan Program is an effort to create good paying jobs and help our small business own-ers through a $5 million loan program. The program will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees, with an interest rate of 3.9%.
The Legislature created this program after meeting and discussing concerns with small business owners this past Legislative session. The “Save Our Small (SOS) Business” fund gives small businesses access to capital, which was the top concern expressed by these Iowa small business owners.
To be eligible for the loan program, the small business must be located in Iowa and must be owned, operated, and actively managed by an Iowa resident. Businesses must also have a business plan and receive assistance from an Iowa Small Business Development Center, the John Pappajohn Center for Entrepreneur-ship, or the Iowans for Social and Economic Development.
Interested businesses should contact their local Small Business Development Center (www.iowasbdc.org) to confirm eligibility and application process.
Tags: iowa small bsuiness owners, iowa small business webinar, Iowa's Small Business Loan Program, myentre.net, Save Our Small Businesses, small business, small business loans
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: admin Published: September 2nd, 2010
Yahoo Finance recently released the top ten states with low unemployment rates. Iowa showed up at number 10 on that list with a 6.8% unemployment rate, under the national average by 2.7%. Iowa has been steadily gaining jobs throughout the year, in just July Iowa gained 1,700 jobs over June and 3,700 jobs over July 2009.
Here’s what Yahoo Finance had to say:
Iowa: Outperforming with a diverse economy plus agriculture
Unemployment Rate: 6.8%
Lower Than America’s Unemployment Rate By: 2.7%
Major Industries Driving The State’s Economy: While commonly perceived as an agricultural hub, Iowa actually boasts a surprisingly diverse economy with jobs in the manufacturing, biotech, finance, insurance, and government services — all of which contribute to a strong hiring market. The S&P gave the state a Triple-A rating in 2009 (only one of nine to hold the position then).
Education: 24.3% of the adult population has a Bachelor’s degree or higher. (Lower than average)
To read about all the states made the list visit:
http://finance.yahoo.com/tech-ticker/10-states-with-ridiculously-low-unemployment—-and-why-535377.html?tickers=^dji,^gspc,spy,dia,udn,edv,uup
Tags: Iowa Economy, Jobs, jobs and economy, unemployment rate, Yahoo Finance
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: rachellethomas Published: August 16th, 2010
Kiplinger Magazine named Des Moines seventh in the 10 Best Cities for the Next Decade.
Des Moines was touted for it’s excellent work at luring back young Iowans and attracting talent by developing its downtown and promoting the jobs available in the many industries that flourish throughout the city.
“There’s more to Des Moines than agricultural jobs. Employers include Principal Financial Group and Wells Fargo in insurance and finance, as well as Meredith Corp. in publishing.
Added to Des Moines’ long-standing attractions and events — its contemporary-art center, symphony orchestra, recreational trails, the downtown farmers market, arts festival and grand old Iowa State Fair — are newer, sometimes edgier, offerings. These include a world cup triathlon that lures both elite and everyday athletes; a 4.4-acre downtown sculpture park with 24 sculptures valued at some $40 million; and a summer music festival that draws popular bands, such as Spoon and Modest Mouse.”
The magazine selected the top 10 cities by focusing on places that specialize in out-of-the-box thinking, leaders in job creation as well as thriving art, cultural and recreational areas.
For more information visit:
http://content.kiplinger.com/magazine/archives/best-cities-2010-des-moines-iowa.html
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
Author: rachellethomas Published: August 3rd, 2010
In another effort to create good-paying jobs, the new Iowa Small Business Loan Program designed to help small business owners having trouble accessing resources to stay open or expand will begin accepting applications today.
The Iowa Small Business Loan Program will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees, with an interest rate of 3.9 percent. The $5 million program was created to promote the creation and retention of jobs in Iowa’s economy by helping to provide financing to eligible small businesses.
Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligibility for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment and one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses.
The University of Northern Iowa will be hosting webinars across the state for small business owners interested in participating in the loan program. Key legislators involved in crafting the program will be in participation.
To be eligible for the loan program, the small business must be located in Iowa and must be owned, operated, and actively managed by an Iowa resident. Businesses must also have a business plan and receive assistance from an Iowa Small Business Development Center, the John Pappajohn Centers for Entrepreneurship or the Iowans for Social and Economic Development, in order to be eligible.
For more information on the program or to have a small business plan reviewed, contact your local Small Business Development Center (www.iowasbdc.org) or call the Iowa Department of Economic Development at (515) 212-0182.
In another effort to create good-paying jobs, the new Iowa Small Business Loan Program designed to help small business owners having trouble accessing resources to stay open or expand will begin accepting applications today.
The Iowa Small Business Loan Program will provide loans up to $50,000 to small businesses with under 35 employees, with an interest rate of 3.9 percent. The $5 million program was created to promote the creation and retention of jobs in Iowa’s economy by helping to provide financing to eligible small businesses.
Other pieces of the initiative include expanding eligibility for the state’s loan buy-down program (Linked Investment for Tomorrow Fund), a statewide website of vacant buildings targeted for redevelopment and one comprehensive website with links to all assistance available to small businesses.
The University of Northern Iowa will be hosting webinars across the state for small business owners interested in participating in the loan program. Key legislators involved in crafting the program will be in participation.
To be eligible for the loan program, the small business must be located in Iowa and must be owned, operated, and actively managed by an Iowa resident. Businesses must also have a business plan and receive assistance from an Iowa Small Business Development Center, the John Pappajohn Centers for Entrepreneurship or the Iowans for Social and Economic Development, in order to be eligible.
For more information on the program or to have a small business plan reviewed, contact your local Small Business Development Center (www.iowasbdc.org) or call the Iowa Department of Economic Development at (515) 212-0182.
Category Featured, Jobs & Economy, Recent News |
